Rupture of the Plantar Fascia - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describes the condition of Plantar Fascia Rupture.
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Rupture of the Plantar Fascia
Plantar fascia rupture is not a very common injury, and it has the characteristic of acute pain in the arch of the foot. It occurs due to a tear in the plantar fascia, and that tear is painful. Rupture is often associated with long standing flat feet deformity or can occur from steroid injections. Another predisposing factor for plantar fascia rupture is plantar fasciitis.
Anatomy
The plantar fascia is formed by three bands: the medial, the central, and the lateral. The plantar aponeurosis is the central part of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is inserted into the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus and extends distally, becoming broader and thinner. The plantar fascia acts as a bow string.
The rupture of the plantar fascia may be misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis. When the plantar fascia tears, the patient will describe a tearing pain that usually occurs during athletic activity. The tear may be complete or incomplete. Complete tear of the plantar fascia occurs from sudden trauma or injury. The patient feels “popping” or “snapping” suddenly. Walking will be very difficult with tenderness, swelling and significant bruising on the sole of the foot (the condition is painful). Some patients may have a noticeable tightness of the calf muscle (equinus contracture) in association with rupture of the plantar fascia. Partial rupture is less common and occurs from overuse, as in running. MRI will identify the rupture, and it can also identify if the rupture is partial or incomplete. Rupture is often in the arch of the foot opposed to where the plantar fascia inserts into the heel (calcaneus). Ultrasound has the same accuracy as MRI for imaging the plantar fascia. Interpretation of the plantar fascia rupture may be difficult. You may need dynamic maneuvers with dorsal flexion of the forefoot to stretch the plantar fascia. Usually the proximal part of the plantar aponeurosis is clearly visualized on ultrasound. MRI is probably better in diagnosis plantar fascia rupture.
Treatment of Plantar Fascia Rupture
-Non-Weight Bearing for 2-3 Weeks
-Walking Boot
-Crutches
-Physical Therapy
-Surgical Treatment is the last resort.
-Could be used in some athletes who continue to have pain despite a well conducted conservative treatment
-Surgery is done to release the fascia and the excise the scar
Patients with rupture of the plantar fascia typically achieve a favorable outcome with return to full activity.

[Carbon]

Dr. Nabil…you’re exactly right….some doctors diagnosed pain associated in that area with plantar fasciitis in my case MRI confirmed a slight partial ruptured of my plantar fascia, I have been receiving PRP treatment just finished my first treatment, finished steroids shots, they do not work for me….barely walking right now and when I have to walk am using an air boot, have new insoles…I’m 56 yrs old still playing sports, changed my old cleats for the same style bought new ones and everything happened…I stretch every day and it happened turning from first base to second at fast pace…just felt a burning sensation in my heel …after the game was over could not walk well, heel area was extremely irritated, it’s been almost 8 weeks and still feeling some slight pain but is not constantly like in the past, after walking with my boot. Just want to get back to normal. Thanks for the video, it was right on with me.

[nate]

Thank you much.

This video does such a great job of explaining the key points. Wish I would have watched this years ago. I have torn my plantar fascia over the years playing basketball. The first time it took over six months to go away. Sports medicine, massage, rollers balls, not sure what finally fixed it. Probably just time.

I injured it again more recently playing basketball. The sore heel feeling that won't go away. I took it a little easier and stopped playing basketball, but continued to play squash 1-2 times a week. That was a mistake because i played yesterday and felt the pop feeling when the plantar ruptures, and went down. A VERY different feeling than in the past, like the elastic broke.

This video was very helpful in explaining the situation and what i need to do. Now out of commission for a few weeks in a boot and then start yo see a physio therapist to rehabilitate. Should have done all of that before it ruptured... This part of the body takes a long time to heal. Do things to increase blood flow in the area!

[starlynn]

Thorough explanation; good visuals. This is what my doctor diagnosed me with. It was due to a sudden trauma to the foot.

[mrjcmjunior]

Had a partial rupture when I was in the Army. We used to run a lot. They gave me 30 days of no PT. Went back to running and had another partial tear...same 30 days...went back to running again and had a complete rupture. My foot swole up so big. I was in a walking cast for over a year bc it would not heal properly. Ended my military career and I've never been able to run again. I had ultrasonic treatment and that helped me to heal very quickly, but cannot run on it.

[remnant]

Every other video I’ve seen describes the plantar fascia as being a single band. Your clarification that there are three bands explains why my feet hurt in multiple places rather than just under the heel (the left and right sides of each foot hurt, and so does the ball of the feet and the curve under some toes). Thank you. Now if I could get enough treatment to make it go away. There aren’t enough doctors here with businesses open when I’m off work, though, and I don’t have enough vacation time to keep missing work to address this.

[vcolondres]

The BEST explanation I ever see. THANK YOU👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[elizame]

Thank you this was more useful than my actual doctor.

[yoganurseb]

Fantastic video ! Accurate! I could feel that pop and fell to my knees. Had been suffering from fasciitis for months prior, also have the calf pain.

[sharonallan]

Thanks for this explanation. I've been having problems with plantar fasciitis in both feet for a while now. I had a cortisone injection into my right heel that helped for about 5 weeks, then last weekend I was walking and something popped in my heel and I couldn't put weight on it. Diagnosed with partial rupture of my plantar fascia and I'm now in a boot.

[-covid-]

Excellent information Doctor greatly appreciated GOD bless you.

[drmukeshvyas]

Yes sir your videos are very clear and very informative, clear all doubts and confusion. I am very impressed with your teaching Thank you so so much

[radeloncar]

As always, thank you very much, Proff. Nabil!

[sandrazorat]

Thank you very much.
Best wishes from Brazil.

[danielbohn]

Legendary! Thank you, Dr.! Greetings from Brazil!

[ncr]

Thank you, I have this now. First bruised heel, walked on front of foot and tried to lift heavy object. It snapped and I am in the most pain of my life! Extremely painful. now there is new purple mark on heel. No pain killers yet, but I should take some. Maybe tomorrow I will go get Ultrasound as I have pins and screws in me that are maybe magnetic so no MRI.
Should I risk getting to hospital?

I will have to go many hours in car and have to get around town to achieve this. ultrasound one side of town hospital other side. Thank you anyone that answers

[tijaabotijaabo]

Sir thank you, l would like to ask you how I treat my wife complaining feet pain?

[rethyharikrishnan]

I had done the surgery and resting now. Please guide me with correct exercises and physiotherapy

[m.awaiskhan]

How to fix it doc. Plz tell its very painful

[pychien]

My husband and I are both 68 and we started walking for around 30 minutes a day (for about a month). last week we walked over an hour (3 miles) and got really tired. 2 days later, my husband woke up with severe pain on his heels. He did not twist the ankle or heel and we were just tired. Why the sudden heel/foot pain (no bruise mark)? Could this be one of the condition you described?

[kenantano]

Whos here after The Mountain tore his plantar fascia at WSM 2019?